Munster’s first defeat in eight games, and the first loss of 2019, sees the province move off top spot of Conference A as they come away from Parc y Scarlets with a losing bonus point after a 10-6 defeat.
The province’s only points came from the boot of Bill Johnston who kicked two first half penalties.
A phase of early pressure saw Rhys Marshall catch the ball off a Scarlets overthrow at the lineout but the hooker was just stopped metres short of the line. The ball was then knocked forward in the following phases and Scarlets were awarded the scrum.
The Munster pack had their homework done on the opposition set-piece and secured the penalty in front of the posts with Bill Johnston stepping up to take the points on offer after four minutes.
Scarlets replied with the first, and only, try of the game, scored by winger Ioan Nicholas, after a strong Leigh Halfpenny run had given the Welsh side good field position. Halfpenny kicked the conversion giving Scarlets a 7-3 lead after 12 minutes.
Moving into the second quarter Munster were camped inside the Scarlets 22 building phases while keeping the ball in tight in difficult conditions but a superb defensive effort from the home side saw them clear their line and relieve the pressure.
Johann van Graan’s men continued to dominate the possession and territory but time and time again the Scarlets defensive effort held firm.
Munster were awarded a penalty for a Scarlets offside in the final minute of the opening half and a great strike from Johnston reduced the Scarlets lead to a point.
The hosts restored the four-point lead with an early second half penalty from Halfpenny after a Munster infringement under the posts.
The pack, led by captain Billy Holland, went on to secure a scrum penalty inside the Scarlets 22 on the 59th minute and opted to go for the corner. Jean Kleyn crossed the whitewash off the rolling maul but the TMO ruled the score out and Scarlets were awarded the penalty.
Both sides continued to battle it out in awful conditions with Munster unable to close out opportunities with handling errors playing their part.
The chances were on offer but failing to execute when close to the line proved costly and a scoreless second half saw Munster come away from Parc y Scarlets with a losing bonus point.
Guinness PRO14 Round 17 Round-Up
Rory Scannell became Munster’s youngest player to reach the 100-cap milestone after turning 25 in December.
Munster drop to second place in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14 after Glasgow took pole position with a bonus point win away to Zebre.
Munster: Mike Haley; Ronan O’Mahony, Dan Goggin (Jaco Taute, 64), Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam; Bill Johnston (Tyler Bleyendaal, 67), Alby Mathewson (Neil Cronin, 75); Jeremy Loughman (Liam O’Connor, 64), Rhys Marshall (Kevin O’Byrne, 64), John Ryan (Stephen Archer, 59); Jean Kleyn (Darren O’Shea, 64), Billy Holland (C); Fineen Wycherley, Conor Oliver (Jack O’Donoghue, 53), Arno Botha.
Six Nations Rugby In Cork
Friday, March 8
Ireland U20s v France U20s, Irish Independent Park, 7.15pm; Buy tickets here
Next up in the Guinness PRO14
Saturday, March 23
Guinness PRO14 Round 18: Munster v Zebre, Thomond Park, 7.45pm; Early Bird Closes 5pm on Wed, March 6 – Buy tickets here